St Mary’s aiming to go further after NFNL Division 2 preliminary final experience

31 for 31: After playing NFNL Division 2 finals for the first time in club history, St Mary’s is eyeing a bigger slice in 2024.

St Mary’s players celebrate a semi-final win over South Morang. Picture: Josh Chadwick

St Mary’s is hungry, hungry for another taste of finals in 2024.

The Burras played NFNL Division 2 finals for the first time in club history last season, reaching the preliminary final.

The experience of winning a semi-final over South Morang and, while disappointing, losses to Eltham and Diamond Creek has given the club all the motivation it needs over summer.

St Mary’s will once again trust in the natural progression of its list having built arguably the most stable squad in the entire Northern league.

Coach Fabian Carelli said his players enjoyed the experience of finals football.

Nick Dean in action for St Mary’s. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“The guys enjoyed the experience of playing finals, obviously the first time for St Mary’s in Div 2,” Carelli said.

“We were comprehensively beaten by Eltham, got the win over South Morang, and obviously Diamond Creek beat us in the preliminary final, deservedly so the two best teams played in the grand final.

“It’s given them motivation, without having to speak about it, they just really enjoyed the experience.

“Without having said it, the guys just want to get back there now, it’s where we want to be again.

“Not much has changed, we’re still rewarding and banking on guys’ natural improvement that have been mainstays for the last two or three years.

“You have a vision as a coach and mine was making sure we set ourselves right internally and promote from within, which creates a stable environment.”

Key to taking that next step will be the fitness of reigning Division 2 league best-and-fairest winning Tane Cotter.

The gun midfielder suffered a horror ankle injury in the preliminary final last season but is on track for an early-season return.

Jeremiah Antypas celebrates a goal for St Mary's. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“He’s coming back slowly, broke two bones in his ankle and ripped every ligament,” Carelli said.

“It was a six-month injury but he’s started training in the last two weeks, so he’s touch and go for Round 1 but highly unlikely.

“The signs are positive that he’s started a bit earlier than expected, which is good for us because he’s obviously an integral part of what we want to achieve.”

The league medal victory was another first in St Mary’s history, the first at senior men’s level, and Cotter’s second after claiming a Division 1 Under-19 award in 2018.

Jeremiah Antypas finished third in the league goalkicking last season and together with Cotter and Rory Hanlon was named in the Team of the Year.

Antypas was one of St Mary’s key recruits last season and the club will top-up again in 2024 with Curtis Howden-Crhak (North Heidelberg) and Lincoln Zhang (West Preston-Lakeside).

“We’ve recruited a couple again to add to and top-up our list, like we did last year with Jack Bianchin and Jeremiah Antypas,” Carelli said.

“Lincoln’s been really good, and Curtis as well, Curtis is a ex-St Mary’s boy and he works with Lincoln.

“They’ve both had Div 1 experience and hopefully they can impart some of that knowledge that they’ve gain and help our group.”

While St Mary’s pre-season training has been impacted by Whatmough Park’s unavailability, Carelli has been pleased with the club’s progress.

He pointed out, promising midfielder Lachie Read as one to watch in 2024.

“Young Lachie Read has torn it down this pre-season, so I’m looking for big things from him,” Carelli said.

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“He’s out Mr Fix-It, we’ve thrown him all around the park but with things settled we can give him more midfield time because that’s where we’re going to get the most out of him.

“He’s one I think can bounce out of the blocks and hopefully get a bit of confidence and have a really good year.”

St Mary’s has two practice matches ahead of Round 1, facing West Preston-Lakeside and Essendon District club St Albans.

The Burras face fellow 2023 finalist Watsonia in the opening round of the season at Binnak Park.